editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Arnie Seipel delivers weather forecasts five times daily on NPR Berlin. He is also a producer for NPRs coverage of U.S. elections. Arnie previously worked as a production assistant with the promotions department at NPR, as well as the live events unit. He worked on NPRs Talk of the Nation before that. Arnies career in broadcasting began at CBS News where he was an intern for CBSNews.com. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Government and Politics in 2008.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Arnie SeipelTue, 27 Jun 2017 19:02:42 +0000Arnie Seipelhttp://wkar.org
Arnie SeipelUpdated 2:30 p.m. ET Facing a perilous path for their health care bill, Senate Republican leaders have decided to push off a vote on their health care bill until after Congress returns from next week's July Fourth recess, GOP aides confirm to NPR's Susan Davis. The delay comes on a day in which President Trump was working to twist some arms and when several GOP senators were saying they were against bringing the bill to the floor this week. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the announcement during Senate Republicans' weekly lunch, which was attended by Vice President Pence. White House chief of staff Reince Preibus and press secretary Sean Spicer were reportedly in the Capitol on Tuesday, as well. Leaders had been pressing hard for a vote before the holiday. Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas tweeted on Monday morning, "I am closing the door. We need to do it this week before double digit premium increases are announced for next year." There has been speculation that McConnell isSenate GOP Leaders Push Off Health Care Vote After July 4thhttp://wkar.org/post/trump-pence-lobby-senate-health-care-bill-prospects-appear-dim
103883 as http://wkar.orgTue, 27 Jun 2017 17:05:00 +0000Senate GOP Leaders Push Off Health Care Vote After July 4thArnie SeipelUpdated at 6:37 p.m. ET Less than a month after President Trump hired an outside lawyer to deal with inquiries related to the Russia investigations, Vice President Pence has followed suit. Pence's office confirms he has hired Richard Cullen, who served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia during the term of George H.W. Bush and later worked on George W. Bush's legal team during the 2000 Florida recount. An aide tells NPR that the decision to hire an outside lawyer has been under consideration for weeks, and Pence decided to go forward with it earlier this week. The vice president's communications director, Jarrod Agen, said in a statement, "I can confirm that the Vice President has retained Richard Cullen of McGuire Woods to assist him in responding to inquiries by the special counsel. "The Vice President is focused entirely on his duties and promoting the President's agenda and looks forward to a swift conclusion of this matter," he added. Pence has not come under anyVice President Pence Hires Outside Lawyer To Deal With Russia Inquirieshttp://wkar.org/post/vice-president-pence-hires-outside-lawyer-deal-russia-inquiries
103323 as http://wkar.orgThu, 15 Jun 2017 22:38:00 +0000Vice President Pence Hires Outside Lawyer To Deal With Russia InquiriesArnie SeipelUpdated at 7:28 p.m. ET Former FBI director James Comey may have done more damage to Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday than even President Trump, whom Comey publicly accused of waving him off part of the Russia investigation. Comey said he expected Sessions to recuse himself from the Russia investigation weeks before he did because of reasons that are classified. That does not comport with Sessions rationale when he announced his recusal in early March. Sessions has been the subject of scrutiny over his failure to disclose meetings with Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 campaign, which Sessions has defended as routine — part of his duties as a U.S. senator. In his opening statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee, released on Wednesday, Comey detailed a private conversation with President Trump in the Oval Office shortly after National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was forced to resign, in which Comey recalls the president saying, "I hope youComey Testimony Raises New Questions About Jeff Sessions And Russia http://wkar.org/post/comey-testimony-raises-new-questions-about-jeff-sessions-and-russia
102959 as http://wkar.orgThu, 08 Jun 2017 23:25:00 +0000Comey Testimony Raises New Questions About Jeff Sessions And Russia Arnie Seipelhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ceCaFCG2j8 Fired FBI Director James Comey may tell the Senate Intelligence Committee next week that President Trump suggested he ease off at least part of the FBI's Russia investigation. But a month ago, he said this to the Senate Judiciary Committee: "I'm talking about a situation where we were told to stop something for a political reason, that would be a very big deal. It's not happened in my experience." Why did Comey say he has never been asked to stop an investigation for political reasons after that conversation with Trump? Some writers on the Internet, particularly Comey critics, have a couple of simple explanations — the memos are fake or he perjured himself in front of Congress. But there's more context. Here is the full exchange from the Judiciary Committee hearing, when Comey was being questioned by Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii. HIRONO: So if the attorney general or senior officials at the Department of Justice opposes a specificDid James Comey Lie About Interference In The Russia Investigation? http://wkar.org/post/did-james-comey-lie-about-interference-russia-investigation
102623 as http://wkar.orgFri, 02 Jun 2017 10:00:00 +0000Did James Comey Lie About Interference In The Russia Investigation? Arnie SeipelUpdated at 3:20 p.m. ET White House communications director Michael Dubke has resigned. Dubke offered his resignation on May 18, prior to President Trump's overseas trip to the Middle East and Europe. He is still working at the White House and has not set a departure date yet. Dubke, 47, had been a behind-the-scenes player who helped manage the White House communications strategy, including the aftermath of President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. Before joining the White House in February, he had been a Republican strategist and founder of Crossroads Media. In a statement, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus thanked Dubke for his service. "We appreciate Mike and are very grateful for his service to President Trump and our country," Priebus said, adding Dubke "offered to remain on board until a transition is concluded." Dubke's resignation could be the forerunner of a larger staff shake-up in the administration. Reports have circulated that Trump may bring in trustedAmid Rumors Of Staff Shake-Up, White House Communications Director Resigns http://wkar.org/post/white-house-communications-director-resigns
102452 as http://wkar.orgTue, 30 May 2017 12:57:00 +0000Amid Rumors Of Staff Shake-Up, White House Communications Director Resigns Arnie SeipelUtah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, announced that he will not run for re-election in 2018 and will not seek any public office next year. Chaffetz wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning, "I am healthy. I am confident I would continue to be re-elected by large margins. I have the full support of Speaker Ryan to continue as Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. That said, I have made a personal decision to return to the private sector." As oversight chairman, Chaffetz led investigations into the Secret Service and Planned Parenthood in recent years. He has faced pressure from protesters in his home district and federal watchdogs for not pursuing investigations into the Trump administration more forcefully. Chaffetz told NPR's Morning Edition in February that his committee was concerned with possible mishandling of classified information when Trump was apparently briefed on a North Korean missile test atHouse Oversight Chair Jason Chaffetz Will Not Seek Re-Electionhttp://wkar.org/post/house-oversight-chair-jason-chaffetz-will-not-seek-re-election
100524 as http://wkar.orgWed, 19 Apr 2017 16:04:00 +0000House Oversight Chair Jason Chaffetz Will Not Seek Re-ElectionArnie SeipelEditors' note Monday, 12:55 p.m. ET: Since this story was first published, we have added material from another former student and former law clerks of Gorsuch, as well as more information about Jennifer Sisk's political affiliations. On Tuesday, Gorsuch disputed the allegation himself during his confirmation hearing and explained the lesson he intended to teach. A former law student of Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, alleges that in a course she took from Gorsuch at the University of Colorado Law School last year, the judge told his class that employers, specifically law firms, should ask women seeking jobs about their plans for having children and implied that women manipulate companies starting in the interview stage to extract maternity benefits. The concerns were shared in a letter , posted Sunday evening by the National Employment Lawyers Association and the National Women's Law Center, written by Jennifer Sisk, a 2016 graduate of theAmid Charges By Former Law Student On Gender Equality, Former Clerks Defend Gorsuchhttp://wkar.org/post/former-law-student-gorsuch-told-class-women-manipulate-maternal-leave
99175 as http://wkar.orgMon, 20 Mar 2017 05:07:00 +0000Amid Charges By Former Law Student On Gender Equality, Former Clerks Defend GorsuchArnie SeipelA handful of top Republicans are calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from a federal investigation into whether Russia interfered with last year's presidential election, as top Democrats call on Sessions to resign. The demands come after reports that Sessions spoke to Russia's ambassador twice last year , while Sessions was working as a top adviser and surrogate for Donald Trump's presidential campaign. The news was first reported by The Washington Post and has since been confirmed by NPR's Carrie Johnson. Sessions said during his confirmation hearings that he had no contact with Russian officials as he worked with Trump's campaign. Amid the calls for recusal and resignation, many leading Republicans are urging caution. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican who has been highly suspicious of possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia, told NPR's Steve Inskeep on Morning Edition, "I'm not interested in being part of a witch hunt, but I also will not be part of aRubio To NPR: No Witch Hunt On Russia, But No Cover-Up Eitherhttp://wkar.org/post/senate-minority-leader-calls-jeff-sessions-resign-attorney-general
98614 as http://wkar.orgThu, 02 Mar 2017 16:05:00 +0000Rubio To NPR: No Witch Hunt On Russia, But No Cover-Up EitherArnie SeipelFor the second time in as many days, a Senate committee's GOP leadership has bypassed a boycott by Democrats to advance President Trump's Cabinet nominees. The Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee boycotted the second meeting in a row to confirm Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. Committee rules say that two members of the minority party must be present for a vote, but chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., suspended the rules so Pruitt's nomination could pass the committee with only Republican votes, and he passed 11-0. Pruitt will still need to be confirmed by the full Senate, which appears likely. A Democratic aide from the EPW committee says they recognize that the move is "allowable under Senate rules" even if it's unprecedented for the committee. Upon reconvening the committee, Barrasso said: "It is disappointing that they chose that course of action. We will not allow it to obstruct." Hearings on Trump's nominee to run the Office ofSenate Republicans Bypass Another Boycott By Democrats To Advance EPA Nomineehttp://wkar.org/post/senate-republicans-bypass-another-boycott-democrats-advance-epa-nominee
97367 as http://wkar.orgThu, 02 Feb 2017 16:42:00 +0000Senate Republicans Bypass Another Boycott By Democrats To Advance EPA NomineeArnie SeipelUpdated 1:15 p.m. ET A day after Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee boycotted votes to advance the nominations for President Trump's nominees to lead the departments of the Treasury and Health and Human Services, the panel's Republicans met in a surprise meeting Wednesday morning and voted to suspend committee rules to vote on those nominees without Democrats present. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the chairman of the Finance Committee called the Democrats' boycott "the most pathetic thing." Opening the meeting, Hatch said, "We took some unprecedented actions today due to the unprecedented obstruction on the part of our colleagues." Democrats consider the move in violation of longstanding rules on the finance committee, which require one member of each party present. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, posted a photo of empty seats in the committee room and said the Democrats were standing with people "hurt by the abusive practices of Mnuchin's bank." Democrats boycotted yesterday, sayingSenate Republicans Defy Democrats' Boycott To Advance Trump Nominees http://wkar.org/post/senate-republicans-defy-democrats-boycott-advance-trump-nominees
97303 as http://wkar.orgWed, 01 Feb 2017 16:43:00 +0000Senate Republicans Defy Democrats' Boycott To Advance Trump Nominees Arnie SeipelUpdated at 1:50 p.m. ET. Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee boycotted planned votes on Tuesday morning to advance the nominations of two Trump Cabinet nominees. The committee was to begin voting at 10 a.m. on the nominations of Georgia Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Treasury Secretary-designate Steven Mnuchin. Committee rules require that at least one member of each party be present for a vote to proceed. If and when the committee does vote, their confirmations would still need the approval of the full Senate. In a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, White House spokesman Sean Spicer called the Democrats' actions "outrageous." "It's unfortunate Senate Democrats remain so out of touch with the message that the American people sent this past November," Spicer told reporters. "The people want change; President Trump is delivering that change." Price has been under a cloud of controversy for weeks over questions about whether he properlySenate Democrats Block Committee Votes On 2 Trump Nomineeshttp://wkar.org/post/senate-democrats-block-committee-votes-2-trump-nominees
97255 as http://wkar.orgTue, 31 Jan 2017 17:37:00 +0000Senate Democrats Block Committee Votes On 2 Trump NomineesArnie SeipelWith little power left in Washington, Democrats set out on Sunday to make a big statement against GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act with rallies in dozens of cities. It's also a step for the party toward regaining its footing after grassroots efforts in 2016 failed to keep the White House in Democrats' hands. Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats in the Senate and whose populist candidacy in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary was boosted by a strong online following and small-dollar donations, headlined the day. He was recently named to a leadership post among Senate Democrats as chairman of outreach. Sanders used his vast email list from the campaign to help organize support for Sunday's rallies in support of Obamacare, which stretched from an event led by House minority leader Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco to one featuring Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Boston. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley even led a sing-a-long at the Utah StateDemocrats Rally In Dozens Of Cities To Oppose Obamacare Repeal http://wkar.org/post/democrats-rally-dozens-cities-oppose-obamacare-repeal
96607 as http://wkar.orgMon, 16 Jan 2017 17:50:39 +0000Democrats Rally In Dozens Of Cities To Oppose Obamacare Repeal Arnie Seipelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaVWRetR4jg President-elect Donald Trump is unabashedly praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, a day after outgoing President Obama issued tough sanctions against the country in response to alleged cyberattacks intended to influence the U.S. elections. In a tweet Friday afternoon, Trump responded to Putin's decision not to expel U.S. diplomats from Russia in kind after Obama ordered 35 Russian diplomats to leave the country — admiring the Russian leader's strategic approach over President Obama, which is the theme of Trump's ongoing praise of Putin. Earlier Friday, Putin instead signaled he would wait to decide how to move forward until Trump takes office, giving him someone in the Oval Office who has been much friendlier and quite generous with his praise — a stark break from decades of U.S. foreign policy. The Russian Embassy in the U.S. also retweeted Trump's post, which he pinned to his Twitter timeline so it would remain at the top. Trump alsoAs U.S. Confronts Russia, Trump's Admiration Of Putin Is Consistenthttp://wkar.org/post/us-confronts-russia-trumps-admiration-putin-consistent
95931 as http://wkar.orgFri, 30 Dec 2016 22:37:00 +0000As U.S. Confronts Russia, Trump's Admiration Of Putin Is ConsistentArnie SeipelBill Clinton says that out of the hundreds of thousands of donors to the Clinton Foundation over the past 18 years, there must have been some people who gave to the foundation to gain influence with him and his wife. But the former president told NPR that doesn't mean any donors received anything improperly. "It was natural for people who've been our political allies and personal friends to call and ask for things. And I trusted the State Department wouldn't do anything they shouldn't do," Clinton told Steve Inskeep in an interview broadcast Monday on Morning Edition. Clinton is kicking off the final gathering of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, where heads of state, humanitarians, scientists and other accomplished or influential individuals come together to formulate solutions to global problems. This week's CGI meeting is the final one because of efforts to prevent further concerns about conflicts of interest between the work of the Clinton family's private charitableBill Clinton: 'It's Hard' To Think About Leaving Foundationhttp://wkar.org/post/bill-clinton-its-hard-think-about-leaving-foundation
91900 as http://wkar.orgMon, 19 Sep 2016 09:00:00 +0000Bill Clinton: 'It's Hard' To Think About Leaving FoundationArnie Seipelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lmBQgDYOiQ A man who was arrested at a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas on Saturday after reportedly trying to grab a police officer's gun intended to "shoot and kill" the Republican presidential nominee, according to court documents released on Monday. Michael Steven Sandford told a Secret Service agent after his arrest that he had traveled to Las Vegas on Friday from California and then gone to a Las Vegas shooting range on Saturday to learn how to shoot a gun. A complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas also shows that Sandford told the agent that he expected to be killed by law enforcement in the act. Sandford had a U.K. driver's license on him when he was arrested. Attendees to Trump rallies have to undergo screening by the U.S. Secret Service, including a magnetometer to detect any possible weapons. Sandford was charged with attempting to commit an act of violence on restricted grounds. Trump first requested Secret Service protection inMan Arrested At Rally Wanted To 'Shoot And Kill' Trump, Authorities Sayhttp://wkar.org/post/man-arrested-rally-wanted-shoot-and-kill-trump-court-documents-show
88060 as http://wkar.orgMon, 20 Jun 2016 23:42:00 +0000Man Arrested At Rally Wanted To 'Shoot And Kill' Trump, Authorities SayArnie SeipelThe campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders announced on Sunday that his campaign raised $26 million in April, fueled largely by small donations, a drop-off from the $46 million he raised in March and $42 million in February, according to the Federal Election Commission. The slowing pace comes as the primary season heads into its final month, with Sanders practically out of reach of the Democratic nomination. Sanders has outpaced Clinton in fundraising, though. His campaign pointed out that the $26 million he raised in April exceeds the $21 million she raised in March. Clinton's campaign has not yet released April fundraising numbers. Sanders often points out on the campaign trail that his average donation totals $27, but in April his campaign says the average donation was $26. Clinton's average donation has remained above $40. In total, Sanders has now crossed the $200 million mark for the campaign — with a fundraising sum of $210 million. As of last month, his total fundraising was outpacingWith Primary Season In Final Stretch, Sanders Reports Slowed Fundraisinghttp://wkar.org/post/primary-season-final-stretch-sanders-reports-slowed-fundraising
85970 as http://wkar.orgSun, 01 May 2016 16:50:00 +0000With Primary Season In Final Stretch, Sanders Reports Slowed FundraisingArnie SeipelThe Ted Cruz and John Kasich campaigns announced apparent coordinated strategies to combat Donald Trump in select upcoming primaries — an effort to force an open convention when the Republican National Committee gathers in Cleveland in July. In a statement sent out Sunday evening, the Cruz campaign said it will focus resources on Indiana, "and in turn clear the path for Gov. Kasich to compete in Oregon and New Mexico." Kasich's camp offered an inverse statement within minutes, saying it will "give the Cruz campaign a clear path in Indiana" while focusing on New Mexico and Oregon. Both campaigns called on their allies and third-party groups to cooperate with this approach. Trump responded late Sunday on Twitter: Indiana's primary is on May 3. Oregon votes on May 17. New Mexico is one of the states on the final day of the GOP primary calendar, June 7. Both the Kasich and Cruz camps say they will compete to win other contests in the Republican race over the next six weeks — including theCruz And Kasich Announce Joint Strategy To Block Trumphttp://wkar.org/post/cruz-and-kasich-announce-joint-strategy-block-trump
85691 as http://wkar.orgMon, 25 Apr 2016 04:17:00 +0000Cruz And Kasich Announce Joint Strategy To Block TrumpArnie SeipelAfter terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday morning that killed more than 30 people and wounded more than 200, American politicians took to social media and TV news programs to respond to the violence. Several pointed to the attacks as a reason to focus America's fight against Islamic extremism. We're compiling responses from elected officials and presidential candidates here: Ted Cruz In a statement released Tuesday morning, Ted Cruz said America must secure its southern border to prevent "terrorist infiltration." He also suggested heightened monitoring of Muslim neighborhoods, saying, "We need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized." Cruz had posted a less forceful statement earlier in the day via Facebook and Twitter: "Our hearts break for the men and women of Brussels this morning. Make no mistake — these terror attacks are no isolated incidents. They are just the latest in a string of coordinated attacks by radicalCruz: 'Empower Law Enforcement To Patrol And Secure Muslim Neighborhoods'http://wkar.org/post/us-officials-and-presidential-candidates-react-brussels-attacks
84216 as http://wkar.orgTue, 22 Mar 2016 13:49:00 +0000Cruz: 'Empower Law Enforcement To Patrol And Secure Muslim Neighborhoods'Arnie SeipelFormer Secretary of State Colin Powell has a message for the Republican Party: "We have to become more respectful of each other." Speaking on the death of former first lady Nancy Reagan, Powell said he believed she would be "disturbed" by the way her husband's legacy is invoked by some people today. Powell spoke in an interview with NPR's Michel Martin on All Things Considered. Referring to the "civility" and "lack of any nastiness" he saw in Ronald Reagan, Powell, who served as Reagan's national security adviser, decried the tone of the current Republican presidential campaign. "To stand there and do junior high school tricks on one another is belittling the country and belittling the office to which they are striving," he said. Powell added, "Even Jerry Springer thinks it's gone too far, and when Jerry Springer thinks you've gone too far, my friends, you have gone too far." He was referring to recent remarks in the Financial Times from Springer, who served as the Democratic mayor ofColin Powell: GOP Candidates 'Belittling' The Country And Presidencyhttp://wkar.org/post/colin-powell-gop-candidates-belittling-country-and-presidency
83511 as http://wkar.orgSun, 06 Mar 2016 23:13:00 +0000Colin Powell: GOP Candidates 'Belittling' The Country And PresidencyArnie Seipelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygGL9DGeSGM When Jeb Bush suspended his bid for the GOP nomination, it brought to a close a chapter in American politics that has lasted nearly four decades. A period when the Bush family played a major role influencing the course of the country. The combined Bush family political stats just going back to 1980 are beyond impressive. Two presidents. One vice president. Two governors. Seven national campaigns. And there were lots of victories, but unfortunately for Jeb Bush, the most recent one won't be going in the win column. It wrapped up among loyal, but sad supporters in a hotel ballroom in Columbia, S.C. As Jeb Bush began his primary night remarks on Saturday, it soon became clear he was bearing bad news. He would finish fourth place at best-in-the-state GOP contest. Not good enough to justify continuing. "The people of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina have spoken," he said. Then, occasionally choking back tears, he added, "So tonight I amWith Bush's Exit, A Chapter In American Politics Closeshttp://wkar.org/post/bushs-exit-chapter-american-politics-closes
82885 as http://wkar.orgMon, 22 Feb 2016 10:17:00 +0000With Bush's Exit, A Chapter In American Politics Closes